PETER'S LAST WILL

2nd Peter 1:1-21; 1:14-18

Peter is ready to lay aside his "tabernacle" –i.e. "dwelling place" – his body. He desires to bequeath something special to God’s people. He could have talked about:

  • Being the chief apostle
  • The converts he won
  • The churches he established
  • Walking on the water
  • Being filled with the Spirit
  • Miracles by faith.

I. HE BEQUEATHED THE POWER AND COMING OF JESUS

Jesus Is Returning.
     For His own and with His own.
     This is the hope of the Christian

Jesus Is Returning In Power.
     To smash Anti-Christ and shackle Satan.
     To judge Christ-rejecters.
     To rule and reign.

The Transfiguration Was A Picture of His Coming.
     "Eye-witnesses in the holy mount."
    
Jesus shined forth in glory – "His Majesty".

    • John saw His glory. Revelation 1:1-17; 19:11-16
    • Isaiah saw his glory. Isaiah 6:1-3; John 12:41
    • Daniel saw His glory. Daniel 10:5-8
    • Paul caught a glimpse. Acts 9:3; 26:13.
  • The Father authenticated the Son. 2nd Peter 1:17.
  • Moses pictured resurrected saints. Dead for 1450 years but reproduced.
  • Elijah pictured raptured saints. Translated 900 years previous.
  • Peter, James, and John pictured Israel who will awaken to the realization that Jesus is the Messiah when He returns in glory.
  • They talked about His death. Their means of entrance into the kingdom
  • He Desires To Stir Them Up by Keeping Them In Remembrance
         Christ’s Coming is a purifying teaching. 1st John 3:2,3.
         Christ’s coming is a motivating teaching: One reason the early church went forth with such zeal was because they wanted to witness to every person before Jesus returned. Matthew 25:11.

    II. EMBRACING THE POWER AND COMING OF JESUS WILL KEEP GOD'S PEOPLE FROM BEING BARREN AND UNFRUITFUL

    They Will Add To Their Faith - verses 5-7
         Without faith as the foundation these other virtues cannot fulfill their potential.

    • Virtue – strength or courage
    • Knowledge – clear perception of truth
    • Temperance - moderation
    • Patience – calm endurance of any aggravation or suffering –James 1:2-4
    • Godliness – God likeness
    • Brotherly kindness – brotherly benevolence
    • Charity – a commitment of unconditional love

    These Virtues Will Keep God’s People From Failure - verse 8

         They will not be barren or unfruitful
         They will never fall.

    They Will Keep The Christian From Spiritual Nearsightedness-verse 9

  • Those who do not add these virtues cannot see back to their salvation experience clearly

  • They can’t see anything else clearly that requires sharp spiritual vision.
  • III. THESE VIRTUES WILL PRODUCE AN ABUNDANT ENTRANCE

    INTO THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM

    We Can Be Admitted In Shame.   1st John 2:28.
         A wasted life – unfinished tasks
         Lost souls never won.

    We Can Have An Abundant Entrance.- Verse 11    "For an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

         A tourist traveling in northern Italy came to the castle Villa Casconati and requested of the gardener to let him walk through. Nothing could have pleased the gardener more. He asked, "How long has it been since the owner was here? ´ "About twelve years." "Does he ever write?" "No." "Then who gives you instructions?" "He never has." "You certainly keep these grounds in beautiful condition. They look as if you expected your master to come tomorrow." The gardener almost interrupted, "Today, sir, today!"

         If we add these virtues that make us fruitful we can expect an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of Christ.

    Copyright © 2002 Thomas E Berry
    All Scripture quoted from NKJV unless otherwise noted